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How to fix loose sliding door bracket?

stella

Hi there,

I’m looking for some advice on fixing a sliding door issue. The sliding door bracket keeps coming loose even after I manually tighten it back — it seems to loosen again after some use.

I’m also looking for recommendations on what type of floor guide I should install to keep the door aligned and prevent it from coming off the track.

Any DIY tips, suggested parts/hardware, or troubleshooting advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Repairing

Doors and Windows

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EricL

Hello @stella

Thank you for sharing your question about your sliding door bracket. Before we offer any suggestions, can you please confirm if it is a timber or aluminium framed door? Once you let us know we'll be able to offer recommendations on how to repair the door and what guides to use for the bottom section.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

stella

Thanks, Eric.
It’s an aluminium framed sliding door. For the floor guide, if you could recommend both a drill and no-drill option, that would be super helpful.
Thanks so much!

EricL

Hello @stella

I'm under the impression that you have managed to remove the door and sliding mechanism in order to tighten up the screws. Please let me know if this assumption is in error. Upon closer inspection of your first picture, it appears to me that a timber insert has been placed inside the aluminium door frame (please double check for me). If my observations are correct, I propose removing the sliding mechanism, and there you will find a large screw in the middle of the timber insert. The purpose of the screw is to hold the timber insert in place.

I propose getting a Philips head screwdriver and removing the screw along with the broken timber insert. Measure the insert carefully and cut a piece of pine timber in exactly the same shape. The most important part is to drill pilot holes for the anchoring screw in the middle and the screws for the sliding mechanism. Re-install the timber insert along with the centre mounting screw, once in place you can then re-screw the sliding mechanism back into place.

In regard to the floor guide, I recommend the https://www.bunnings.com.au/rolltrak-adjustable-timber-door-floor-guide_p3986043 . For a non-destructive fix, I suggest using https://www.bunnings.com.au/scotch-2-54-x-152-4cm-clear-mount-double-sided-mounting-tape-2-54cm-x-1-52m_p3961950 or https://www.bunnings.com.au/t-rex-19mm-x-4-5m-clear-double-sided-super-glue-tape_p0229633 . My best advice is to wipe your tiled floor with https://www.bunnings.com.au/diggers-125ml-isopropyl-alcohol-125ml_p1564443 and a paper towel before mounting the guide.

However, if you wish to drill into your tiled floor, I suggest using https://www.bunnings.com.au/qep-8mm-diamond-tile-drill-bit_p6820161 . To mount the guide, I suggest using https://www.bunnings.com.au/stahl-masonry-kit-8mm-drill-with-50mm-blue-wall-plugs_p2260391 .

Let me call on our experienced members @TedBear, @JoeAzza and @Dave-1 for their recommendations.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Morning @stella

mmmm I havnt worked on an aluminium edged sliding door. I would have missed that screw that @EricL has mentioned, but the same thought comes to mind as you can see the faint outline of a piece of timber that has sat there previously. I would follow @EricL's steps to restore the timber and the screw.

R4addZ

Hi @stella

I can't see any particular damage to the timber at the top of the door so the extent of the repair could be less. The first question after you take the door off is, can you re-tighten the screws or do they spin as they get to the end of the travel. This will determine whether they have pulled straight out of the wood making it difficult to reuse the holes or have they "walked (unscrewed themselves)" out of the holes due to the vibration of the door opening and closing. If it is the latter, using some thread lock under the screw heads before tightening fully could prevent the issue happening again. If it is the former, could you get away with moving the fitting 10-20mm in one direction or the other (you may need to drill pilot holes for the screws to prevent expanding the wood and deforming the aluminimum)?

JoeAzza

Hi @stella , another suggestion to relocating the bracket is to insert 12mm timber dowels drilled and glued in place, cut flush with top of door , then re fit the bracket into the new dowels when the glue has dried.

TedBear

Hi @stella looking closely at your picture, it seems that the wood is split along its length in that area. You will need to remove the screws and bracket. Carefully put some slightly larger screws in the holes (wood screws would be good as they are tapered) to open the splits up a tiny bit so that you can then force some wood glue into them. Wait five minutes then remove the screws and let the glue set for a few hours (preferably over night). If you have a stapler, staple across the cracks.

Then put the bracket back in place.

Alternatively, replace the whole section of wood as previously suggested; whichever seems easiest.

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